Key retaining device



Sept. 18, 1951 MCKAY 2,568,081

KEY RETAINING DEVICE Filed Oct. 14, 1947 g) 33 3a sg fiesiqg/W Kay;

ATTD R N EYE I NVEN TOR.

Patented Sept. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE KEY RETAINING DEVICE Leslie J. McKay, Orlando, Fla. Application October 14, 1947, Serial No. 779,737

* 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a key retaining device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a key retaining device from which the key can be easily separated or attached to and which is adapted when the key is in placein the door to be extended over the door knob so that the key will be retained in a position at right angles to the vertical plane of the keyhole to prevent the key from being pushed inwardly out of the keyhole. Most unauthorized entrances through a locked door are obtained by the use of a skeleton key which can be inserted after the legal key has been pushed out of the lock by the skeleton key or some key removing instrument.

It is an object of this invention. therefore, to provide a device that will prevent removal of the key from the key hole either with the use of an illegal key or a key removing instrument.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a key retaining device which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and convenient to use.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a door knob partly in section, with the key retainer embodying the invention extended over the knob and connected to the key;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary and cross-sectional view of a door with the key retainer in elevation extended over the knob, and connected to the y;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the key retainer with a key attached;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear view of the key retainer with the cover removed;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the key retainer as viewed on line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view on the line 1-1 of Figure 3 with the key retainer in latched position;

Figure 8 is a similar View to Figure 7 with the key retainer in unlatched position;

Figure 9 is a sectional View on the line 9-9 of Figure 7 with the loop ends within the retainer for adjustment;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view of the key retainer in operative position and Figure 11 is a similar view with the key retainer in pocket receiving or storage position.

Referring now to the figures. 15 represent a door having a knob l6 thereon connected to a shaft 11 by a set screw 18. The key I9 has a loop portion 2| thereon into which my key retainer indicated generally at 22 may be extended, whereby to retain the key at right angles to the keyhole in the face plate of the lock. My key retainer 22 has a loop wire 23 adapted to be extended over the knob IE to rest upon the knob, as shown in Figure 2. This loop 23 is detachably and adjustably connected at its ends to a plate 24 having folded over side portions 25 beneath which the ends of the loop may be extended. The loop is made of spring wire and is expanded into the folded portions 25. The ends of the loop are bent outwardly at right angles to the loop 23, as indicated at 26 to engage the openings 21 in the folded portions and to prevent the outward displacement of the loop from the plate 24. In order to have the loop retained against inward displacement when in the positions shown in Figures 3 or 11, the loop wire is provided with shoulders 28 adapted to abut the opposite ends of the folded portions 25. As viewed in these Figures 3 and 11, it will be noted that the loop 23 can be extended either from one end of the plate 24 or from the other end. The holes 21 in the folded portions 25 and the shoulders 28 in the loop provide adjustment of the loop wire 23 with respect to the plate 24. Therefore, as viewed in Figure 10, the bent ends 26 can be extended into the openings 21 for one adjustment, or be positioned as in Figures 3 and 11, for another adjustment or for storing position.

The plate 24 is further provided with a centrally located slot 29 which is adapted to slidably receive the rivet 30 having the knurled head 31. The rivet 30 carries the spring metal sliding latch plate 32 which is slidably mounted on the plate 24 in opposed relation to the portions 25. Opposed guide ears 33 formed on the plate 24 at the lower end thereof engage the plate 32 to retain it in sliding contact with the plate 24$. The plate 32 is slidable on the plate 24 to open or close the loop 34 formed on the lower edge of the plate 24, and terminates thereon at the ears 33. The loop 34 has a lip 35 on its outer portion to engage the lower edge of the plate 32 to limit the closing movement of the loop. The plate is forced intoengagement with the lip 35 by means of a spring 36 connected at its upper end to the rivet 30, and at its lower end to the upstruck projection 31. The projection 31 is formed on the plate 24 on the same side as the portions 25, centrally thereof.

To provide protection for the spring 36, a spring 3 metal cover 38 is provided on each side with a groove 39, so that the cover can be inserted between the inner edges of the portions 25 and receive the edges in the grooves 39.

In use, the loop 23 is placed over the knob 16, as shown in Figure 2. Then the latch plate 32 is moved upwardly on the plate 24 by means of the rivet head 3|. The loop 2| of the key [9 is then placed in the loop 34 of the plate 24, and the plate 32 is permitted to slide downwardly into the loop 2| until it engages the lip 35. It will be noted in Figures '7 and 8 that the loop 34 is slightly curved so that the spring metal plate 32 will follow the curve and contact the loop 34 at all times. The ends of the loop 23 are then inserted into the portions 25 and depending on the distance from the key to the knob, the ends 26 can be engaged in the openings 21 or the ends can engage the lower ends of the portions 25 and the shoulders 28 engage the upper edges of the portions 25. These portions are shown in Figures 3 and 19 respectively. V

In Figure 11, the ends of the loop are inserted into the portions 25, in a reverse manner to that previously described, so that the device can be easily carried in a garment pocket or purse.

There has thus been provided a device that is light, easy to carry and efiicient to use, and it is believed that the construction and use of the device will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is also to be understood that various changes may be made 'in the detailed construction, provided such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claim.

'I claim: I v

A key retainer comprising a plate with folded side portions and a loop portion on one end thereof adapted to receive the open head of a key therein, a sliding latch plate slidably mounted on said first plate and adapted to slide over said loop and through the open head of said key for securing the open head in said loop, the folded side portions of said first plate having openings therein centrally thereof, a spring wire loop having its ends bent outwardly thereof at right angles thereto and the loop is provided with a shoulder inwardly of said ends so that the loop between the shoulders and the ends is positioned in the folded side portions of said first plate with the 'ends of the loop extending outwardly of the REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Loudin Jan. 9, 1894 Number 

